Minnesota United FC‘s stadium construction is about to get in full swing, as an official groundbreaking could take place this week.
Earlier this month, not long after it was confirmed that the state had signed off on tax breaks for the project, United released an updated stadium construction timeline that called for a groundbreaking to take place early this summer. That would mark an important point in a construction process that is expected to allow the new stadium to open for the 2019 MLS season.
United’s new privately-financed stadium is being planned as an anchor for a larger development in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood. Major work relating to the construction of the facility could begin this week, after a series of agreements are completed. More from KTSP:
Port Authority Chairman Lee Krueger said the owner of property adjacent to the new stadium and the owner of Minnesota United FC have signed early access agreements, and Metro Transit is expected to do the same Monday or Tuesday.
“Once Metro Transit signs the agreement, we are ready to start digging and doing the prep work,” Krueger said. “And I would love for it to be early in the week, but I think it is going to be later in the week.”
Krueger said the stadium will be built on 10 acres of the 35-acre parcel, which sits at the corner of University and Snelling avenues. Twenty-five acres surrounding the stadium are planned for future redevelopment, but the current property owners have to pay off their mortgages first.
A ceremonial groundbreaking for the stadium did take place in December, but it was known at the time that it would be months before major construction work could begin. United is expected to remain at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium through the 2018 season.
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